This thesis examines the development and mechanics of the political system of Iraqi
Kurdistan (northern Iraq). Since 1991, a de facto state system has been in existence in
this region, a situation exists which has few precedents and no present-day
comparison. The political system of Iraqi Kurdistan is identified as possessing
political parties, electoral procedures, a national assembly, and organs of governance
and administration. To understand this political system, the structures, decisionmaking
processes and political history of the major political parties are analysed.
Historically, the Kurds have never possessed a state. However, following the Gulf
War of 1990-1991 and the withdrawal of the Government. of Iraq (GOI) from Iraqi
Kurdistan, an indigenous emergency administration was established by the Iraqi
Kurdistan Front (IKF), followed by multi-party elections in 1992. The administrative
vacuum forced the militia-style political parties into governing the territory. Such a
task brought parties supposedly representing different strata of Kurdish society
together in a volatile coalition resulting in a equal sharing of power. However,
interfactional fighting in 1994 resulting in the Kurdish region being divided between
the two most powerful political parties (the KDP and PUK), with the system being
further complicated by a multitude of smaller political parties and groupings.
A theme which is developed throughout the thesis is that the successful peaceful
political development of the Iraqi Kurdish region may be achieved by employing a
variant of a consociational system of governance. It is argued that a major component
of a peaceful political settlement has to include elite accommodation within the
governmental structure which is acceptable to the geopolitical thinking of
neighbouring states and influencing powers, as well as being able to administer the
Iraqi Kurdish region in this difficult period for the whole of Iraq. A modified powersharing
system may possibly allow for such political development to take place, later
allowing the KDP and PUK to once again unify the political system of Iraqi
Kurdistan.

Supervisor:

Not available

Sponsor:

Not available

Qualification Name:

Thesis (Ph.D.)

Qualification Level:

Doctoral

EThOS ID:

uk.bl.ethos.342592

DOI:

Not available

Keywords:

Iraq; Kurds; Kurdish; Middle East Political science Public administration